Tonight’s Officials -12/18/13

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers

Referees:

Don Van Massenhoven (#21) – 3.5 minors/gm. 10.2 total PIM/gm.Favors home team (48.3% of penalties vs. home teamFirst game involving either the Penguins or Rangers this season

Steve Kozari (#40) – 4.1 minors/gm. 13.1 total PIM/gmFavors home team (47.2% of penalties vs. home teamRangers are 0-1 under Kozari (Loss to Anaheim on 10/10. Penguins are 1-0 (Win vs. Buffalo on 10/5This is Kozari’s first game at MSG this season

Van Massenhoven and Kozari worked together once this season – Lightning vs. Kings on 10/15 (Total 16 PIM in that game)

Linesmen: Ryan Galloway (#82), Darren Gibbs (#66)

Anthem: John Amirante – Rangers are 2-4-1 this season when Amirante singsLast Amirante win was 11/6 vs. Penguins. Since then, 0-3-1 when he handles anthem duties.

Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils

Referees:

Dennis LaRue (#14) – 3.4 minors/gm. 10.7 total PIM/gm.Favors road team (52.2% of calls were against home team)Devils are 1-2 under LaRue (Win vs. Penguins on 11/16. Losses to Winnipeg on 10/13 and Montreal on 12/2).Senators are 1-0 (Shootout win over Flyers on 12/9) This is the second time this season LaRue has been paired with a rookie ref. He was on the ice for TJ Luxmore’s first NHL game (Nashville vs. Detroit on 11/19)

Trent Knorr (#44) – 4.0 minors/gm. 19.0 total PIM/gm. This is Knorr’s second NHL game (TOR vs. MIN 11/13) NHL average PIM per game is 22.7. When there’s a rookie official, average rises to 27.8 PIM per game.